The clearance of land deeds, tax reforms, and tiered taxation, each of these three new laws was more daunting than the last.
The public pronouncements were clearly heard by the diners in the surrounding three-story establishment, which only intensified their trepidation.
There was no other reason than that they felt these three new laws were too harsh, almost as if they had offended nearly every non-poor class in the country at once. Even they, the diners on the first floor, owned at least some property at home to be able to afford to dine here.
According to these new laws, even those like them who ran "small businesses" would have to pay a considerable amount of taxes, which was truly painful to consider.
Successive gasps of cold air echoed through the crowd. After the pronouncement concluded, the shopkeeper had someone retrieve the account books for Official Wu to review.
With professional accountants, complete with their own abacuses, brushes, ink, and ledgers, the officials began their calculations.
After a long while, the account books were returned to the shopkeeper.
Official Wu said with great earnestness, "Shopkeeper, I shall not say much more. You only need to know that the current Prime Minister, Prime Minister Chu, is not like the former Prime Minister Chen. He is a formidable individual, one who can wield the knife."
"When you report what has happened here to those behind you, you should particularly urge them not to make mistakes. If they do not comply with the new laws, then it will not be us from the Ministry of Commerce's investigation team who come, but actual officials who will directly arrest the relevant personnel."
"I understand. I will certainly relay your words to my employer, Lord Wu."
The shopkeeper forced a smile and cupped his hands in thanks.
He then exchanged a glance, and others immediately stepped forward, discreetly handing silver concealed in their sleeves to Official Wu, the captain, and the other officials.
"Lord Wu, you have worked hard. This is just a small token of my appreciation for your many kind words. I have nothing else to repay you with, only a little wealth. I hope you will not refuse."
"..."
Official Wu and the others looked down at the silver ingots placed in their sleeves. Ordinary soldiers and minor officials received at least five taels, those with official standing received twenty taels, while the two main officials, they, received two ingots of fifty taels of silver each.
One hundred taels of silver was no small sum. It was equivalent to the monthly salary of a first-rank official. Their salaries would take several months to accumulate this much, which was truly tempting.
However, upon recalling the Prime Minister's instructions before their departure, Official Wu's expression shifted.
After a moment, he sighed and said, "Shopkeeper, do not harm this official. Take this silver back. I will not accept it."
"This captain also dares not."
Saying this, the two returned the silver to the shopkeeper.
Seeing this, the soldiers and officials, though reluctant, also returned the silver.
This left the shopkeeper dumbfounded. What was going on? Were these officials no longer fond of money? Were they refusing bribes offered to them?
Or was that Chu Chen truly that terrifying? But terror couldn't fill one's stomach! With the meager salaries the court provided officials, how could they live the lavish lives of the upper class?
However, Official Wu paid him no mind, fearing he might not be able to resist and take the silver back. He waved his hand and ordered, "This matter is concluded. Everyone, follow me and let us depart!"
With that, he led his men away.
Watching the officials leave, the shopkeeper and the others were dumbfounded. "They, they really left without taking the silver? Did the sun rise in the west today?"
After the officials had completely departed Cloud Sky Pavilion, a steward hurried forward and asked, "Third Manager, the officials' presence has somewhat disturbed the diners. What do you think? Should we reduce their bills or offer some complimentary wine and dishes?"
"Reduce the bill by half, and add two dishes and a pot of wine."
The Third Manager, having recovered his senses, immediately gave the order.
The shopkeeper of Cloud Sky Pavilion was the Third Manager of Prince Jing's mansion, and Cloud Sky Pavilion was Prince Jing's property, with an immensely powerful background.
Under normal circumstances, the Third Manager would not have feared any official. However, the officials who had come earlier were there to publicize the new laws, and these new laws represented not only the will of Prime Minister Chu but also the will of His Majesty in the palace.
A prince feared no one except the current Emperor, lest His Majesty suspect Prince Jing of harboring any ill intentions and take action against him.
Otherwise, Official Wu and the others would not have even been able to enter the establishment! What was the point of bringing a hundred soldiers? Did he think Cloud Sky Pavilion lacked its own guards? Or lacked powerful retainers?
"Alas, what is this? If we truly act according to these new laws, our income will likely be significantly reduced! No, this matter must be reported to the Prince as soon as possible. I cannot make this decision; it must be the Prince who decides how to proceed."
Thinking this, the Third Manager gave his instructions, appointed a temporary acting shopkeeper, and with his entourage, galloped away from Shuangyue City to the Prince Jing's mansion in his fief to meet Prince Jing.
Since Cloud Sky Pavilion, a place that received distinguished guests, did not resist and cooperated with the promotion of the new three laws and the investigation of account books, other businesses, upon hearing this news, dared not disobey.
The Ministry of Commerce's investigation team took only a few days to thoroughly investigate the income of all businesses.
Following this, they instructed the printing house to produce a large number of invoices and distribute them to all businesses in the city. They also collected and recorded information such as the business name, business code, business scope, and operating personnel for each shop.
By the fifteenth of each month, the taxes owed for the previous month must be paid. Henceforth, invoices must be issued for all transactions. Transactions without invoices would be subject to significant penalties.
Concurrently, the teams for land clearance completed their first round of surveys within these few days, having investigated all the land within a county.
With the military escort of three thousand soldiers, no one with a sane mind dared to obstruct them. Even those who harbored such thoughts would have to consider the fate of the powerful Chi family in Lianshan County, and the three prominent families of Wang, Qin, and Li.
Their family property was confiscated, their land was nationalized, and their entire families were escorted to the capital to await trial after a thorough investigation. These severe consequences served as constant reminders to the gentry and powerful families to exercise restraint.
During the process of land clearance, the landholdings of aristocratic families and powerful figures were naturally affected. However, they made no move and even cooperated fully with the land measurement.
Nevertheless, in secret, the machinations of the aristocratic families and powerful figures accelerated significantly.
Large quantities of wealth began to be transferred and hidden, large numbers of personnel were secretly moved in batches, and countless resources, both human and material, were transported to the fief of the Second Princess, Mengdie.
Vast quantities of cheap and thick hemp clothing, oxen, horses, and donkeys that had undergone spiritual resurgence and mutation but were not dangerous, as well as warm hand stoves and smokeless coal stoves, these items not only facilitated the winter needs of the common people but also enabled the aristocratic families and powerful figures to transport supplies secretly during winter.
However, they were unaware that their seemingly concealed actions were constantly under the surveillance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.